'We have to act as a community' - Edinburgh cafe collects soap and sanitisers for homeless people

Roots cafe acted after seeing a drop in profit due to the virus.

An Edinburgh cafe has launched a campaign for donations of soap and other hygiene products for homeless people, as the business struggles under heavy losses due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Roots Edinburgh on William Street in the West End has asked customers to donate soap, hand sanitiser, hand towels and other products to those living on the streets.

It comes as the cafe has registered a 25% drop in business this week, according to co-owner Catriona Spence-Ishaq.

Catriona and Mark, co-owners of Roots cafe.

“We’re terrified about our business but we know there are people on the streets who can’t wash their hands,” said Ms Spence-Ishaq.

“People are stocking up on handwash and other things to make sure they’re ok themselves, but we’ve not been acting as a community,” she added.

“Roots is about sustainability, community and wellbeing. We have a social responsibility.”

She added: “The response has been amazing, people have been flooding in with donations of handwash, soap, even little holders to keep the soap in.”

Ms Spence-Ishaq said the business is ‘putting every measure in place’ to combat the spread of the virus.

“We’re caterers, we wash our hands all the time,” she said.

The cafe has suffered particularly due to people working from home, Ms Spence-Ishaq said, as most of their custom is from workers.

“You get used to fluctuations but this has been really noticeable,” she said.

“It’s just been like, ‘where is everybody?’ It’s been quite shocking.”

“People are saying they will see us when this is all over, but we may not be here by then,” she said.

“Other businesses on the street are saying their profits have been down as well,” she added.

“We’re really getting nervous.”

Fox & Co cafe, also on William Street, is now not accepting card payments in order to prevent infection through handling cash.

Korean-style restaurant Ong Gie on Brougham Place in Tollcross last week began testing customers using a touch-free thermometer.

The manager of a restaurant in Musselburgh said that customers had stolen soap from the dispenser, while others asked staff to open doors so they didn’t have to touch the handle.

It comes after Health Protection Scotland issued a ‘buffet ban’ to hotels, entertainment venues and community centres, stipulating that crisps and sandwiches should not be offered unless they are individually wrapped.